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Speed Racer
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MPAA Rating: PG
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Entertainment: +2
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Content: +1/2
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Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Christiana Ricci. Live action. Written & directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski.
FILM SYNOPSIS: Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is born to race cars. Hes aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolizedthe legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.
Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speeds thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the companys maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secretsome of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed wont drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line.
The only way for Speed to save his familys business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rivalthe mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)to win the race that had taken his brothers life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.
PREVIEW REVIEW: This is a case of style rather than substance. Its flashy, 60s kitschy, and somewhat retro-psychedelic. Its also loud and over-stuffed with Day-Glo computer generated cars, backgrounds and lead characters. It has a couple of positive messages aimed at the core audience (little kids), but for all its expense and movement, I found it somewhat boring. At two hours, plus, I began to feel a bit motion sick. Its not a bad film, I just couldnt find much purpose for it. But then, Im not 9-years-old. Most of the time.
Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Warner Bros.
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Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.
Crude Language: A couple of crude comments concerning puppy poop.
Obscene Language: Around five minor expletives and what appears to be one use of the s-word, though it is bleeped out.
Profanity: One misuse of Jesus name why is that even in this film? And there are a couple of variations of the expression, oh my God.
Violence: There are a great many violent images, mostly associated with race car collisions and near misses; there are a few fight scenes, including a young girl punching another and a boy punching a schoolmate, then older baddies slugging main characters; lead characters are threatened with disfigurement and death; gun shots a man is seen on fire; its an action adventure, cartoonish in many ways, but still very violent in its presentation, especially for young children who are already bombarded by such imagery on TV. Blood: Very little blood.
Sex: A kiss between the lead couple.
Nudity: Several ladies dress provocatively, which seemed inappropriate for the intended audience.
Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None
Drugs: Some drinking in several scenes by miscellaneous or background characters. One character gives a box of cigars to another. Smoking can cause cancer even cigar smoking. So I found this inappropriate for the intended audience.
Other: I found the use of the Hallelujah Chorus in one scene extremely offensive. The song was written to celebrate the resurrection of our Messiah. Its used here when a kid finds free candy.
Running Time: 135 minutes
Intended Audience: Family
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